This Month In Metal: July 2009

Job For A Cowboy - Ruination

Released: July 7
Genre: Death metal
Label: Metal Blade

Job For A Cowboy’s debut album was, mildly put, a controversial release. Hot Topic kids raved about the brutality and death metal purists cringed at the contamination of their favorite genre. Personally, I was a bit indifferent to “Genesis” and figured that at least it was better that the kids spent their money on “Genesis” than the usual drivel we see frequenting the Billboard charts.

“Ruination” is pretty much more of the same, but with some tweaks here and there. The –core element plays a lesser role and the overall style leans more toward regular death metal. As is common with younger bands, the individual growh and maturity is easy to spot. Everything from hooks, riffs, leads, vocals and drums (I’d like to include bass, but since it’s largely inaudible…) have been improved by a notch or two and where “Genesis” felt insecure, “Ruination” feels confident.

However, the majority of the album sits firmly in the average-to-good portion of the scale. While the band has improved, they are still a pretty average death metal band. Everything on this album, front to back, has been done before and with much better execution. It’s not really until the title track closes out the 40-minute-affair that they start firing on all cylinders and in turn makes one wonder if they maybe are capable of producing a killer death metal album. But even if they one day do manage that, “Ruination” will go down in history as just another death metal album.

· UG Review
· Rating: 6

Divine Heresy – Bringer of Plagues

Released: July 28
Genre: Metalcore
Label: Roadrunner

Amidst all the Fear Factory reformation lunacy, Dino & Co had time to churn out another Divine Heresy album. I won’t beat around the bush and bluntly state that the outfit’s first effort was one of the most futile and useless releases of that year. Needless to say, I had little to no expectations for “Bringer of Plagues” once it was announced.

Dino Cazares can definitely crank out some great riffs, and while “Bringer of Plagues” is nowhere near his shining moments, his performance is still worth a listen or two. There’re quite a few strong riffs and hooks present, but sadly Dino sets down a path none of his bandmates manage to follow. Tim Yeung is no slouch on the drums, and I doubt few would argue that he is machine-like behind the kit. His creativity matches that of a machine however, and in large the album sounds like Dino programmed a drummachine to follow his every beat and groove. Tim is a capable drummer (you don’t get to play with Nile if you can’t hack it), but it would be nice if he actually outlined a rhythm himself for once, and didn’t just play catch with Dino’s chug-a-chug riffs.

While the album is, or at least attempts to be, pretty brutal, the vocals blow away every pretention of such a sound. You want cliché formula? You got it. Screamed –core vocals in verses, clean singing in the choruses. That’s more or less the entire the album in a nutshell, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say that at times the clean vocals made me cringe. There are times when the clean vocals do add a dimension, like “The Battle of J. Casey”, but mostly it’s just plain awful (“Redefine”, “Darkness Embedded”).

“Bringer of Plagues” is a polished, generic attempt at brutal metal coupled with awful vocals. While there’re one or two worthwile cuts to be heard, the rest of the album is more than forgettable.

· UG Review
· Rating: 4

Ahab – The Divinity of Oceans

Released: July 22
Genre: Funeral Doom
Label: Napalm

Following up a debut like “The Call of the Wretched Sea” is not an easy task, but Ahab seem to have taken it with ease. The band has taken the incredibly slow, heavy and atmopheric sound of their debut and expanded on it.

Where “The Call…” had heavy riff after heavy riff following one another, “The Divinity of Oceans” sees the band progress, implementing several soft, clean sections where Droste’s vocals are allowed to go from deep gutturals to a somber and melancholic clean voice. From an artistic angle, it’s a great move which allows the band to be more dynamic and make the doom riffs sound even heavier. Furthermore, “The Divinity of Oceans” is much more melodic than its predecessor. If one wishes to talk about an album having a certain air about itself, then “Divinity” certainly is melancholic all the time, either delivered by the guitar melodies or Droste’s vocals.

“Divinity” clocks in at about an hour and I have to say that unfortunately it feels like it is that long. Not all the compositions manage to go all the way, and around the halfway mark I don’t find the album to be as strong as the bookends are. Maybe a few minutes here and there could’ve been cut, but when one looks at the full picture, “The Divinity of Oceans” is a strong album well worth your attention.

· UG Review
· Rating: 7

Devildriver – Pray For Villains

Released: July 14
Genre: Groove Metal
Label: Roadrunner

Devildriver were a band that didn’t excite me much, until they released “The Last Kind Words” in 2007. In the end it went down as one of my feel-good albums of that year, and I was naturally hoping that “Pray For Villains” would strike me the same way.

Upon the initial listens one can be certain of one thing – Devildriver hasn’t seen much reason to change their formula and sound. Dez Fafara delivers his renegade-macho-lyricism with the same trademark bark, the riffing is filled to the brim with groove and melodic leads drop in every now and then to spice things up. As is always the case when a band sticks to their formula, what essentially decides the quality of the release is how good the compositions are.

Unfortunately, I’ll have to say that this time around the material doesn’t seem to be as strong across the board as “The Last Kind Words” was. Obviously it’s hard to point out specifics when you speak about songwriting, but when sitting down and listening to the album in its entirety, front-to-back, it feels like a drag at times. The problem is that a) the album is 56 minutes long and b) consists of 13 songs. Think about it, how many bands can write thirteen songs without a few fillers slipping in? Scratch a few duds, and all of a sudden the album would’ve come off as a much more consistent piece. There’re still a handful of good songs on “Pray For Villains”, but when looking at the entire album, it’s just too bland.

· UG Review
· Rating: 5

Drudkh – Microcosmos

Released: July 14(US)
Genre: Black/Folk Metal
Label: Season Of Mist

“Microcosmos” is one of those albums that are so filled with melancholy that listening to them on anything but a rainy, gloomy day would seem out of place and downright wrong. Fortunately, it is such a day for me.

“Microcosmos” takes more than one leaf out of the Book of Burzum when it comes to creating black metal. It is dark and repetitive but coupled with a folk influence and a penchant for moodswings and tempochanges that are often mesmerizing. When they achieve that flow, where the rhythm section keeps the music moving and the guitars are allowed to add layer after layer (like in “Everything Unsaid Before”), then Drudkh are absolutely amazing. It’s a shame that they don’t manage that for the entire duration of “Microcosmos”, but then again if they did that we’d be treated to one of the finest black metal albums in many, many years.

Drudkh have penned a pretty good album in “Microcosmos”. It is not without flaws, as some of the pieces don’t reach the heights of others, but if you like atmospheric black metal with a touch of folk on the side, don’t hesitate.

· Rating: 7

Born of Osiris – A Higher Place

Released: July 7
Genre: Progressive Death Metal
Label: Sumerian

Born of Osiris plays a mix of modern (American) death metal, mix in a few –core breakdowns and finally a touch of progressive metal. “A Higher Place” clocks in at 34 minutes split onto 13 tracks and is the group’s second effort.

What immediately strikes me is that the guitars aren’t very well produced, unless you like your rhythms dry and with a lot of treble. Apart from that, it’s your standard contemporary metal production with punchy drums and a big, beefy low end.

I’ll join the crowd who thinks that “A Higher Place” at times sounds a fair bit like The Faceless, and the reason for that might be because if I recall correctly, Michael Keene of the Faceless did produce this album. Either way, the album is full tempo changes, guitar leads, technical riffs and guttural vocals which at times make for a real facecrusher, and at times for a song that doesn’t accomplish much more than following the outlined formula.

“A Higher Place” is a pretty good album by a band that while promising needs to branch out more to fulfill their potential. The biggest improvement would be if the vocals were a bit more dynamic, as we’re often treated to gentler sections with keyboards and melodic guitars, yet the vocalist screams/growls on as if it was the breakdown of all breakdowns. And, as previously stated in this article, how many bands manage to pen 13 quality songs on an album? 34 minutes isn’t a lot, but if you can’t make each song unique from one another, then 34 minutes will seem like 60.

· UG Review
· Rating: 5.5

News and tidbits from the past month:

Insomnium will release their fourth album, “Across the Dark” on September 7th via Candlelight.

Trigger the Bloodshed has parted with drummer Max Blunos, and has replaced him with Dan Wilding of Aborted.

Arsis has announced “Starve For The Devil” as the title of their new album, tentatively due early in 2010.

Between the Buried And Me will release “The Great Misdirect” on October 27th via Victory.

Scar Symmetry will release their new album “Dark Matter Dimensions” in October via Nuclear Blast.

Baroness have set “Blue Record” as the title of their upcoming album, due in October via Relapse.

Unleashed have signed a deal with Nuclear Blast.

Burst have chosen to go on an “indefinite hiatus”, citing a lack of motivation and energy as one of the reasons behind the decision.

Dark Tranquillity will release a new concert DVD/CD entitled “Where Death Is Most Alive” on October 26 via Century Media.

Marduk will release their new album “Wormwood” via Regain in September.

Anthrax has parted ways with vocalist Dan Nelson.

Marionette has set “Enemies” as the title of their new album, due in October via Listenable.

Dethklok’s new album “The Dethalbum II” will be released on September 8.

Dying Fetus will release “Descend Into Depravity” on September 15 via Relapse.

Swallow the Sun will release “New Moon” on November 10 via Spinefarm.

Hypocrisy will release “A Taste of Extreme Divinity” on October 23rd via Nuclear Blast.

Immortal’s new album “All Shall Fall” will be released on October 6 via Nuclear Blast.

Comments

[Random3]

:o Pray For Villains 5/10?! Come on!!

[Resurrection360]

i know, Pray For Villians is like a 9/10.. amazing record man

[Alexxx.]

Bit harsh on born of osiris haha.

[Deece]

I personally agree with with reviewer on Pray For Villians to an extent. There some hella awesome songs, but compared to Last Kind Words its a downstep.

[Kwis]

A few harsh ratings this month... Can't wait for September though!

[Fake Messiah]

Nothin got over 7! Bad month for metal then...

[Led_Zeppelin992]

Can't wait for The Great Misdirect!

[Valenten]

yeah;, it was a bad month u__u

[metalheadrenzo]

I cant wait for Scar Symmetry, Hypocrisy, Arsis, Between the Buried and me, Dying Fetus, and Dethklok!

[jacksonmetaller]

lol... drudkh is about the only good band up there... gods among the others

[WhipCRack]

Born Of Osiris should be 8/10 at least
Devildriver Should be 9/10
JFAC should be 7.5/10 at least

[true_bacon22]

WhipCRack wrote:

Born Of Osiris should be 8/10 at least
Devildriver Should be 9/10
JFAC should be 7.5/10 at least

Or you should listen to better metal and you'll see that they got fair ratings for their worth.

[Nor'Easterbass]

Job should've got a bit better review than that. "average death metal"?! if you don't like death metal, which is what it seems to me, then why write reviews for them? the album is clearly their best yet. a little unpolished in the production but they wanted it like that. IMO: 8.5/10

[Grebeshkov]

Felt Devildriver deserved ALOT more than 5/10, Its an amazing album imo.
Seems September cant come soon enough

Nor'Easterbass wrote:

Job should've got a bit better review than that. "average death metal"?! if you don't like death metal, which is what it seems to me, then why write reviews for them?

Cause that's clearly the case, and we all know that if you don't like JFAC you don't like death metal!

Checked.

[oxymorcide]

i like the bands that were reviewed this time...
though they were made to sound a lot worse..

[Rob E]

Agreed that the DevilDriver album was a bit too long...i got the special edition which has 16 or 17 songs on -.-
I would say a 7.5 would be my rating. I certainly don't think it's quite the opus that some magazine reviews had us believe...
Still, it's definitely grown on me though and has some really cool songs. I didn't really get into The Last Kind Words, but i thought The Fury Of Our Makers Hand (if it was called that...) was brilliant.

And yes, bring on September!

[lexanirider78]

Born of osiris is insane live.

[ordinary_story]

This year freaking ROX!!

[XxRustInPeacexX]

WhipCRack wrote:

Born Of Osiris should be 8/10 at least
Devildriver Should be 9/10
JFAC should be 7.5/10 at least

i agree with this statement 100%

[proswimmer89]

damn all the ratings this month is harsh lol

[MangeuDePoutine]

Pray for Vilain is a good album.
You rate it 5/10 that mean he doesn't even pass...
I suggest this album to everyone, not the best one of
Devildriver but he should at least being rate 6-7.

The thing i prefer on everyother other Devildriver's album is the drum. It doesn't sound very progressive in Pray for Vilain.

[CptRevell]

Ahab sounded decent enough.

[slayer1516]

Nor'Easterbass wrote:

Job should've got a bit better review than that. "average death metal"?! if you don't like death metal, which is what it seems to me, then why write reviews for them? the album is clearly their best yet. a little unpolished in the production but they wanted it like that. IMO: 8.5/10

The reviewer likes death metal, but he says that the new JFAC is just another death metal album-which it is. JFAC are not bad, but they don't bring anything new to the genre (except, of course, legions of plug-wearing poseurs)

[MustangMan311]

I'm finally glad to see that this feature gives ACTUAL ratings, and not ratings based on what people on the forums think. All of these albums were reviewed correctly. Congratulations.

[Justin Credible]

WHERE IS THE AUGURY REVIEW?!?!?!

[CtrlZ]

yeah Pray for villains was a real let-down, they seemed to be getting better with each release, and this one just landed with a big thud. well there's always next time

btw you forgot to mention the new black dahlia album coming out soon and also the Absence have one coming out too.

great feature though, look forward to it every month.

[Trinitron]

I agree completely with the JFAC review.

also can't wait for BTBAM

[Necrophagist777]

Personally I think Pray for Villains is Devildrivers best album. It definitely has the most variety and the most interesting guitar parts. Like the intro to "Back with a Vengeance", it almost sounds like something Steve Vai would play. I love it personally.

[Mr_CiNiC]

I gave Ruination a review. I hope that the faggots that were whining about my review in contrast with the kid that gave it a 10 are appeased by this.

[XenititesX]

wheres august burns red? and btw, the BOO cd w as produced by zeuss.

[BlackCrow15]

no Suffocation? it was better than anything that got reviewed

[jetfuel495]

Insomnium, Arsis, BTBAM, Scar Symmetry, Dethklok, Dark Tranquillity, Swallow the Sun... Combined with the new Megadeth album...

The approaching win is strong.

[spencer Cr]

uh where is sonata arctica and epica on upcoming albums?????

[Lion_Slicer]

MustangMan311 wrote:

I'm finally glad to see that this feature gives ACTUAL ratings, and not ratings based on what people on the forums think. All of these albums were reviewed correctly. Congratulations.

Wow SOMEONE has sense here. 5/10 doesn't mean BAD, it means AVERAGE or slightly below average. Some people look at CD reviews as if they were high school vocabulary tests. Not every band you like deserves an 8. Even 8 would be damn good score to be honest, and RP clearly has well-defined standards that just weren't met this month.

[Corey Taylor]

Immortal

[multipleofone]

The great misdirect will quite possibly be the greatest album ever. Even more so than colors, which already holds that title.

[ascendancy2]

Lion_Slicer wrote:

MustangMan311 wrote:

I'm finally glad to see that this feature gives ACTUAL ratings, and not ratings based on what people on the forums think. All of these albums were reviewed correctly. Congratulations.

Wow SOMEONE has sense here. 5/10 doesn't mean BAD, it means AVERAGE or slightly below average. Some people look at CD reviews as if they were high school vocabulary tests. Not every band you like deserves an 8. Even 8 would be damn good score to be honest, and RP clearly has well-defined standards that just weren't met this month.

I'm going to jump on this sexy bandwagon aswell. You have to read the actual review, not the numbers. Plus the higher ratings are reserved for truely great pieces of music. If everything was rated 8,9,10, i wouldnt know what bands/albums are worth checking out.

[afortuneinlies]

Nor'Easterbass wrote:

Job should've got a bit better review than that. "average death metal"?! if you don't like death metal, which is what it seems to me, then why write reviews for them? the album is clearly their best yet. a little unpolished in the production but they wanted it like that. IMO: 8.5/10

It is there best yet. But that doesn't make it good. They've improved on their awful songwriting. remember that 6 track BreEP they had? every song ended about 7 times...awful. The new CD is way more listenable, but just really generic.

also, the new born of osiris is complete trash that literally got thrown out the window of my band's van on the way to a show. They absolutely lost all the character they had on their first CD.

in conclusion, it looks like Deathcore is drying up pretty quickly.

[Reviewer Pete]

Nor'Easterbass wrote:

Job should've got a bit better review than that. "average death metal"?! if you don't like death metal, which is what it seems to me, then why write reviews for them? the album is clearly their best yet. a little unpolished in the production but they wanted it like that. IMO: 8.5/10

Wherein do you gather the intel that suggests I don't like death metal? I enjoy albums belonging in all genres of metal I've come across, but death metal is one of the genres that has produced the biggest chunk of quality albums throughout the genre's existence. In short: I. LOVE. Death. Metal.

Lion_Slicer wrote:

MustangMan311 wrote:

I'm finally glad to see that this feature gives ACTUAL ratings, and not ratings based on what people on the forums think. All of these albums were reviewed correctly. Congratulations.

Wow SOMEONE has sense here. 5/10 doesn't mean BAD, it means AVERAGE or slightly below average. Some people look at CD reviews as if they were high school vocabulary tests. Not every band you like deserves an 8. Even 8 would be damn good score to be honest, and RP clearly has well-defined standards that just weren't met this month.

Thank you for hitting the nail on the head. That is exactly how I do it. I don't review according to the scale that most magazines do, because I find it to be horribly bent towards handing out high grades so the albums will look good and the magazines in turn will get a good relationship with the band. I luckily don't have to worry about that, and frankly if UG would tell me to start handing out higher grades "just because", then I wouldn't do this anymore.

[Connah]

good reviews. devildriver cd is a little long, but i still thought it was awesome. good call on divine heresy drums to. blah!

scar symetry, bewtween the buried and me, dethklok, and dying fetus releases coming soon, mint!

[may666]

true_bacon22 wrote:

WhipCRack wrote:

Born Of Osiris should be 8/10 at least
Devildriver Should be 9/10
JFAC should be 7.5/10 at least

Or you should listen to better metal and you'll see that they got fair ratings for their worth.

everyone has other opinions, there are always people who don't agree with the reviews or the views from others...

[restless_thrash]

You've got it about right with Ahab.

[SilverSpurs616]

These ratings really are harsh, but I do somewhat agree on the Devildriver album. Some great tracks but just a couple that let it down as a whole

[metalness11]

You can definitely tell the age demographic in these comments. No one older than their teens will think that BoO or JFAC is any good.

What i'm concered with is, where was the Suffocation review??

[vector2]

pray for villains was awful compared to TLKW and i'm glad someone realized that

[Colter]

i like the new job album, its a solid album, although very similar to there last album, same with DD they just cant release "fresh" material in my mind it all sounds to similar

[Limaj_daas]

A few harsh ratings indeed, and most deserved too. How some there wasn't a review of Augury's Fragmentary Evidence?

[HavokStrife]

That Devildriver album is freakin' horrible. I can't stand Dez's new vocals AT ALL, all of the beats are thing stupid swing-sounding garbage, and everything is so recycled it makes it sound so damn under par compared to ANYTHING they ever released. Track 5 is the only good one, and even that is still tainted by Dez's retarded new vocals.

I don't understand how you could like that album at all... especially if you actually like any of their older material.

And is it me or does that Divine Heresy singer sound JUST like the Linkin Park guy? I'm guessing they picked him up solely for album sales, but their music is pretty decent and they could probably be really good with a singer than fits the music better..

[JY-Rasputin]

Yay at Dark tranquility's Where death is most alive :]

[Brutalious]

Born of Osiris has taken a big step forward since The New Reign. Less breakdowns, more technical elements, better vocal efforts, and much better guitar work despite the rather muddy production. And best of all, no Bow Down esque songs to taint the album! Though not anywhere near perfection, it is a very good improvement that deserves more credit than you are giving it. 7/10

"OMG JFAC are teh best band evar!!! they deserrve 15081375082750/10!!1!1!!!1!"

If you think JFAC are any more than average, do yourself a favor and listen to Denial - Catacombs of the Grotesque. That should show you how JFAC actually stack up to their metal brethren.

Checked.

And yeah, there needed to be a review of Fragmentary Evidence.

[Reviewer Pete]

Can't do 'em all.

[Andragon]

Hmmm.. very biased against any 'core' influence. I would prefer a more objective outlook on these albums.

[afortuneinlies]

people like JFAC for one reason and one reason only. because at some point of pure misfortune in their lives they've heard Waking the Cadaver. Waking the Cadaver is hopefully the worst band that I will ever hear, so there genre-bound brothers JFAC appear to be gods in comparison. They are in fact, boring and unoriginal and don't deserve any ratings that suggest otherwise.

[soaum]

metal fans! you just cant please em! hahahaha

[HolyDiver1118]

BlackCrow15 :
no Suffocation?

Yeah I know.

[im not mental]

job for a cowboy - i would've given it a 7. nowhere near the best, but fairly kickass and an improvement from their other stuff.

devildriver - they deserved much much higher than a 5. (although the extra tracks on the special edition ARE mediocre at best...) the rest of the album was awesome though. i'd give it around an 8.

[HolyDiver1118]

THe new Suffocation album was pretty badass. I got it on recommendation from Mike and Guy (from the band)

[Reviewer Pete]

Andragon wrote:

Hmmm.. very biased against any 'core' influence. I would prefer a more objective outlook on these albums.

Or it could just be that, god forbid, these albums did not benefit from the -core influence. I like plenty of albums and bands with -core influences - just not these.

[new_age_reject]

Fucking **** yes Between The Buried and Me and Dethklok!

[Ingsoc]

I've never seen a review in these segments above a 7....Maybe whoever is reviewing the music just isn't that into metal?

[Reviewer Pete]

Ingsoc wrote:

I've never seen a review in these segments above a 7....Maybe whoever is reviewing the music just isn't that into metal?

Try reading more than one or two TMIMs...

[xDeathxMetalx]

Dude, Cant Fucking Wait For Immortal's New Release.
As well As Between the Buried and Me.
Sickness.
Btw, bad review for DevilDriver.

[bamslis]

A pretty spot on review imho.
(although i think Devildriver isn't that bad)

[Mullen2105]

This Guy always rates everything SOOO low i've never seen a good review in metal. COME ON!

[IRONMAIDENTLICA]

Anthrax has parted ways with vocalist Dan Nelson.
Didnt they just hire that guy?

By the way great job, I love reading these each month.

[Reviewer Pete]

IRONMAIDENTLICA wrote:

Anthrax has parted ways with vocalist Dan Nelson.
Didnt they just hire that guy?

By the way great job, I love reading these each month.

He was with the band for about 18 months.

[c0bhc]

Pray For Villians is amazing. it deserves much higher. i know its a review, but i still think it deserves much better than you gave it

[protest000]

God, why does the UG review always have a way higher score? They never seem to score anything below an 8.

[metalh3ad88]

I just dont understand how Pray For Villains could have a lower score than Ruination.

[Pretty_Much]

You forgot about Winds of Plague's The Great Stone War which is coming out August 11th and Black Dahlia Murder's Deflorate which is coming out September 15th.

[Sjusovaren]

Boo, Petter sucks, he doesn't give everything 10s!!!!

[Nocturne12]

Lion_Slicer wrote:

MustangMan311 wrote:

I'm finally glad to see that this feature gives ACTUAL ratings, and not ratings based on what people on the forums think. All of these albums were reviewed correctly. Congratulations.

Wow SOMEONE has sense here. 5/10 doesn't mean BAD, it means AVERAGE or slightly below average. Some people look at CD reviews as if they were high school vocabulary tests. Not every band you like deserves an 8. Even 8 would be damn good score to be honest, and RP clearly has well-defined standards that just weren't met this month.

Thank you! I don't know what everybody's problem is. When you only review six albums that chance that one is excellent enough for an 8 isn't really that great. I actually thought this month's reviews were really well done, and I will certainly be checking back with this section often. Good work Pete.

BTW a six still means "above average", so come on guys, its not that bad.

[DyingToFish]

Hot Topic kids raved about the brutality and death metal purists cringed at the contamination of their favorite genre.

The contamination? what is that sposed to mean!? I LOVE job for a cowboy, but I also love Dying Fetus, Cannibal Corpse, Krisiun, I mean I dont think at all that its a "contamination". death metal is death metal, there are no limitations, so to say contamination basically says that you are not a primary death metal fan. this album may have been just "another death metal album" but the mix of -core gave them something unique. THAT is death metal! sticking to your guns and trying to out do everyone else in your own fashion.

DyingToFish wrote:

Hot Topic kids raved about the brutality and death metal purists cringed at the contamination of their favorite genre.
The contamination? what is that sposed to mean!? I LOVE job for a cowboy, but I also love Dying Fetus, Cannibal Corpse, Krisiun, I mean I dont think at all that its a "contamination". death metal is death metal, there are no limitations, so to say contamination basically says that you are not a primary death metal fan. this album may have been just "another death metal album" but the mix of -core gave them something unique. THAT is death metal! sticking to your guns and trying to out do everyone else in your own fashion.

Aside from that being pretty much wrong in every way, the reviewer wasn't claiming to be one of these 'purists'.

[korbhag]

The Great Dismemberment eh? I see a 10/10 in the October review! (Or will you crank it up to 11?)

[Metal Onslaught]

I kind of agree with the "pray for Villains" getting 5/10....well I mean I would have given it maybe a 6.5/10. but it was, without a doubt, the poorest effort by Devildriver so far. I also agree that it feels like it goes on forever. I have a feeling their next album will be much more rock oriented. Still love the band though. \m/

[TheReverend724]

A Higher Place sucked

JFAC's was pretty accurately reviewed
good album, nothing special though

[flxz]

Awww. No He Is Legend review. That's a bit disappointing.

[Pretty_Much]

korbhag wrote:

The Great Dismemberment eh? I see a 10/10 in the October review! (Or will you crank it up to 11?)

You mean The Great Misdirect?

[sammo_boi]

if i was RP i wouldn't bother writing these anymore. the amount of shit you people hang on his reviews...

[COBHC728]

New Arsis in 2010! Woo!

[Ktool The Girth]

soaum wrote:

metal fans! you just cant please em! hahahaha

+2

[huevos]

afortuneinlies wrote:

Nor'Easterbass wrote:

Job should've got a bit better review than that. "average death metal"?! if you don't like death metal, which is what it seems to me, then why write reviews for them? the album is clearly their best yet. a little unpolished in the production but they wanted it like that. IMO: 8.5/10

It is there best yet. But that doesn't make it good. They've improved on their awful songwriting. remember that 6 track BreEP they had? every song ended about 7 times...awful. The new CD is way more listenable, but just really generic.

also, the new born of osiris is complete trash that literally got thrown out the window of my band's van on the way to a show. They absolutely lost all the character they had on their first CD.

in conclusion, it looks like Deathcore is drying up pretty quickly.

It is easily their best effort yet.
In comparison to the utter trash that was Doom, and the mediocre Genesis, Ruination seems like it was crafted by gods.
I would say that it's slightly above average; most tech death is too wankish and JFAC have managed to stay away from that for the most part.
They just need to work out their compositional elements. I see a lot of potential in them; I hope they follow through and make something grand with the next album.

[kfong03]

gotta agree with the devildriver album... it was nowhere as good as "the last kind words"

[AdenZerda]

Justin Credible wrote:

WHERE IS THE AUGURY REVIEW?!?!?!

There is new Augury out? Where have I BEEN D:

brb checking out

[Burning_Angel]

As a fan of Drudkh, I'd give Microcosmos at least an 8.5. But thats just me. I've enjoyed every album they've put out.

[Panasonic3]

i love this collumn.

super escited for BTBAM, Scar Symmetry, Arsis, Swallow the Sun, Dying Fetus, and Dethklok.

[RAH7747]

Ah, the review of Drudkh's Microcosmos finally, and a month overdue.. *rolls eyes* Gotta agree with it sorta.. would have given a 7.5 or so meself..
And Ahab too.. 7 seems right.. Hasn't hooked me in like their first album..
But nonetheless, good reviews considering it wasn't a great month in metal.. tough job goin thru all those albums and ending up disappointed..

[lemonshank]

I think all these review were accurate and appropriate. Except how he mentioned Divine Heresy's Bleed the Fifth as a bad album. I really loved that. Their new work is incredulously horrible. I listened to three songs and couldn't go on because of the fecal matter that was being poured into my ears.

[mattimeo13]

Devildriver is straight up awesome metal. Metal Hammer gave it 9/10. Even if you don't like Devildriver, you still have to concede that it is markedly better than the majority of metal music that comes out today. A 5/10 is just insulting.

[NShore]

Obviously I can't speak for the entire metal community in my assessment of these reviews, but it sounds more or less like you rolled into this with some kind of chip on your shoulder and just walked over everything. I appreciate the discussion of continuity and style track by track; but if all the depth your gonna provide is "it’s hard to point out specifics when you speak about songwriting", I beg to differ. .

[flxz]

sammo_boi wrote:

if i was RP i wouldn't bother writing these anymore. the amount of shit you people hang on his reviews...

You may be right about that, but there are still a lot of people who appreciate these columns (like me).

[Brutalious]

Devildriver got a 5 because they're a really bland and boring band that loses steam after every intro in all of their songs.

[blommen]

damn i was hoping that you would have reviewed tenets debut.

[GrayFoxz]

new_age_reject wrote:

Fucking **** yes Between The Buried and Me and Dethklok!

+100000. cant wait

[Rysis]

Reviewer has failed, Bringer of plagues was one of best metalcore albums this year.

[Magero]

Best month of reviews yet. Agree 100% with everything said.

[x Misanthropy x]

Good reviews.

[EpiExplorer]

Grebeshkov wrote:

Felt Devildriver deserved ALOT more than 5/10, Its an amazing album imo.
Seems September cant come soon enough

Loool, 'Waiting for September' ;P

And I agree, Devildriver did deserve much more. Obviously this reviewer is a purist who only wants to listen to the most obsucre of bands to inflate his self image

[EpiExplorer]

Brutalious wrote:

Devildriver got a 5 because they're a really bland and boring band that loses steam after every intro in all of their songs.

Sir, you obviously have the attention span of a puppy.

[undeadcorpse]

divine heresy are not metalcore

[bleeditout]

But guys remember..its just a one man's opinion :P

[Gryphon999]

september is always the best metal month for me!

oh and Immortal's All Shall Fall will be released on the 6th of October in the US and the 25th of September in Europe

[EpiExplorer]

Scar Symmetry sounds promising, even with the new vocalists.

[BurningTheLives]

I enjoyed the Divine Heresy album. Sure, Tim Yeung may not be the most creative drummer, but he sure as hell impresses me.

sammo_boi wrote:

if i was RP i wouldn't bother writing these anymore. the amount of shit you people hang on his reviews...

He's a masochistic freak. Less than three.

Checked.

[Senor Kristian]

EpiExplorer wrote:

Grebeshkov wrote:

Felt Devildriver deserved ALOT more than 5/10, Its an amazing album imo.
Seems September cant come soon enough

Loool, 'Waiting for September' ;P

And I agree, Devildriver did deserve much more. Obviously this reviewer is a purist who only wants to listen to the most obsucre of bands to inflate his self image

I'm all onboard for the Pray For Villains lovin' too. Personally I think it's their best yet. Perfect mix of groove and melody, and Dez's vocals were clearer than ever. Didn't care much for The Last Kind Words tbh

[suggy88]

Alexxx. wrote:

Bit harsh on born of osiris haha.

I'm glad. I still don't understand why people think they're so amazing, i still feel like theirs something that im not hearing on their record or something im missing out on.

[metalheadblues]

HolyDiver1118 wrote:

BlackCrow15 :
no Suffocation?

Yeah I know.

yeah no suffocation wtf
hmm no mention of behemoth?at all

[Reviewer Pete]

metalheadblues
hmm no mention of behemoth?at all

No need to. The release date has been announced for months and was mentioned in the appropriate TMIM.

I'll review it when it drops though, don't worry

[Reviewer Pete]

EpiExplorer Obviously this reviewer is a purist who only wants to listen to the most obsucre of bands to inflate his self image

My last.fm disagrees.

[Rhyan_EG]

EpiExplorer wrote:

Grebeshkov wrote:

Felt Devildriver deserved ALOT more than 5/10, Its an amazing album imo.
Seems September cant come soon enough

Loool, 'Waiting for September' ;P

And I agree, Devildriver did deserve much more. Obviously this reviewer is a purist who only wants to listen to the most obsucre of bands to inflate his self image

He just gave Dream Theater like an 8 just the other month. I think you need to read his other articles. He gives good records good reviews, and bad records bad reviews.

[Pingis_Or_Death]

New Dying Fetus is gonna be ****ing great.

[TheXBlackening]

Fury of our makers hands > pray for villians > last kind words.

[protesthehero]

who the hell are these bands? why cant this month in metal have bands that sound like music

[GREENWARRI0R]

Nor'Easterbass wrote:

Job should've got a bit better review than that. "average death metal"?! if you don't like death metal, which is what it seems to me, then why write reviews for them? the album is clearly their best yet. a little unpolished in the production but they wanted it like that. IMO: 8.5/10

Yes, JFAC is average death metal at best. Nothing special here.

All ratings here were deserved IMO.

great job Reviewer Pete!

[Lion_Slicer]

TMIM is the best thing on UG, and one of my most trusted source for honest metal reviews on the whole internet. For example, I bought Traced in Air after 2008's This Year in Metal, and have been glad I did so every day since. That's not even an isolated incident...

Also, it's really kind of funny that certain people are saying the reviewer doesn't like death metal, when every other month people hate on him for favoring death metal (particularly of the prog/tech variety). You can't please everyone I guess.

[King ofKumbucha]

This is probably the first time I've agreed with every one of your scores. It seems we agree on the bands we hate but disagree on what we like. haha

[high_as_a_kite]

new threat signal next month cant wait for vigilance

[MustangMan311]

flxz wrote:

Awww. No He Is Legend review. That's a bit disappointing.

Hahahaha, what? Since when is He is Legend any sort of metal?

[Spoony_Bard]

TMIM is definitely the highlight of every month for me, on UG anyway. Pete has helped me discover a lot of killer music.

[vIsIbleNoIsE]

i accidentally gave this article a 3, i'm sorry! i thought i was rating the job for a cowboy cd.

[triangle]

HYPOCRISY FOR THE FUCKING WIN!

[thebigal]

Think the ratings are spot on. C'mon people pray for villians was ok, but not that great.
Really looking foward to between the buried and me and Scar Symetry

I agree i have discovered some great bands due to these reviews.

I think Amorphis recent release is a great album
Cheers

[Ingsoc]

Reviewer Pete wrote:

Ingsoc wrote:

I've never seen a review in these segments above a 7....Maybe whoever is reviewing the music just isn't that into metal?

Try reading more than one or two TMIMs...

I've read probably about 6 or 7 of them, not consecutively, but over the past couple years, and they're never very positive. I think the best review I saw was the new Machine Head album that came out, and even it was an 8 or so.

[bac738]

Random3 wrote:

:o Pray For Villains 5/10?! Come on!!

it's 7/10 in this place but I didn't like it that much either it was kinda boring to listen to T_T

[Unispex]

Nor'Easterbass wrote:

Job should've got a bit better review than that. "average death metal"?! if you don't like death metal, which is what it seems to me, then why write reviews for them? the album is clearly their best yet. a little unpolished in the production but they wanted it like that. IMO: 8.5/10

I listen to death metal all the time, bro. I think I know what I'm talkin about when I say that JFAC is below average, cookie cutter death metal.

[blistered earth]

jfac is not death metal its deathcore, and before i get
yelled at there is a BIG difference devil driver dosnt get any respect but pfv should be a 9/10 at least and born of osiris is good i recently heard them and liked them btw unispex +1000

[chenlin_kng]

i know none of these bands here. i'll figure out n see if the comment is correct or not.

[Shazazmic]

And once again, RP proves why he and (Duncang) are my favorite reviewers on this website.

[Reviewer Pete]

Ingsoc wrote:

Reviewer Pete wrote:

Ingsoc wrote:

I've never seen a review in these segments above a 7....Maybe whoever is reviewing the music just isn't that into metal?

Try reading more than one or two TMIMs...

I've read probably about 6 or 7 of them, not consecutively, but over the past couple years, and they're never very positive. I think the best review I saw was the new Machine Head album that came out, and even it was an 8 or so.

I never reviewed the Blackening (as I didn't work at UG when it was released and didn't start doing TMIM until August 2007), except for the first This Year In Metal I did, where I placed it at #3. I've handed out a 10, several 9s and 8s. I've been very positive about many albums.

Saying that I'm "not very much into metal" is about the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in these comments. Give me a break. Do you really think I'd sit through these albums, write these articles and bother to respond to your comments if I didn't have an enormous appreciation for the genre? Sure, I have to sit through a lot of garbage but I also find bands and albums I'd never bothered to check out unless TMIM forced me to.

[TylerAOH&A7X]

the worst reviews come from people that ONLY compare the albums to something else, instead of reviewing the album independently

waaaahhh!!!! other death metal is BETTER than Job for a Cowboy...it DOESNT make it a bad album, its not my favorite by them but i like it nonetheless

waaaahhhh!!!!! DevilDrivers 2007 album doesnt grab me as much as this one does...its NOT a terrible album, in fact its my new favorite DD album

folks, dont let the critics discourage your own personal taste, if you like Divine Heresy like i do, simply ignore the 4 rating and keep listening...let it speak to you stronger than it spoke to the poor reviewer

[Vypor]

Im sorry, but im sick and tired of everyone saying that "Last kind words" was devil drivers best album. I'll say this, I havnt heard the new album, and I DIDNT dislike last kind words.. BUT IMO Fury of our makers hand WAS BY FAR THIER BEST ALBUM..

It sickens me when people are like "This is nothing as good as last kind words this sucks." You dont know the beggining of it.

[Vypor]

TylerAOH&A7X wrote:

the worst reviews come from people that ONLY compare the albums to something else, instead of reviewing the album independently

waaaahhh!!!! other death metal is BETTER than Job for a Cowboy...it DOESNT make it a bad album, its not my favorite by them but i like it nonetheless

waaaahhhh!!!!! DevilDrivers 2007 album doesnt grab me as much as this one does...its NOT a terrible album, in fact its my new favorite DD album

folks, dont let the critics discourage your own personal taste, if you like Divine Heresy like i do, simply ignore the 4 rating and keep listening...let it speak to you stronger than it spoke to the poor reviewer

+100000 for this BTW

[ShakusIII]

Pray for Villains was a good album, sure, but it was definitely a let down. Had it've been a debut album by some other band that band would've been amazing. But after Fury of our Maker's Hand and Last kind words, Pray for Villains isn't just what was expected.

[pottedsalad]

Pray for Villains, Ruination and Bringer of Plagues are all soo boring, I completely agree with UG, all generic, been done before albums in my opinion

[marianoarnaiz]

CAIN'S OFFERING missing here. AND kamelot just enter studio, AND NEXT SONATA ARCTICA ALBUM IS ON THE WAY

[drewkilljoy]

I'm pretty sure Pete needs paid or a raise for all the shit he's gotten. Honestly, I like the reviews. No band is perfect and being critical (the whole damn point of the review) is to separate the mediocre from the top-notch. On topic, Ruination was a huge improvement for JFAC, but they still qualify as generic. The talent is there if they can manage to find it. I'll have to check out Ahab too, haven't listened to em....

I'm sure Pete is perfectly aware whenever he submits one of these that he will be criticised for it. I've never met a writer/reviewer who doesn't get criticised as much as they are praised for every single thing that they do.

Chin up, Pete. Good man.

[Ibanez44]

Arsonists get all the girls's new CD portals should have been on here, blew me away .

[Shinsen88]

I personally thought the new JFAC album was pretty good. Whatever, I just can't wait for "The Great Misdirect!"

[Ingsoc]

Reviewer Pete wrote:

I never reviewed the Blackening (as I didn't work at UG when it was released and didn't start doing TMIM until August 2007), except for the first This Year In Metal I did, where I placed it at #3. I've handed out a 10, several 9s and 8s. I've been very positive about many albums.

Saying that I'm "not very much into metal" is about the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in these comments. Give me a break. Do you really think I'd sit through these albums, write these articles and bother to respond to your comments if I didn't have an enormous appreciation for the genre? Sure, I have to sit through a lot of garbage but I also find bands and albums I'd never bothered to check out unless TMIM forced me to.

All I can do is observe the reviews and make personal judgment on them, same as you can only listen to an album probably once or twice before you review it. I personally do not have time to listen to every full album here, and thus why I would read an article like this. But from my perspective, when such little hope is given to new albums, I feel like I have nothing worthwile to buy if I follow your advice, which I suppose may end up just being the tough truth of a genre that's getting stale.

[Reviewer Pete]

Ingsoc
All I can do is observe the reviews and make personal judgment on them, same as you can only listen to an album probably once or twice before you review it. I personally do not have time to listen to every full album here, and thus why I would read an article like this. But from my perspective, when such little hope is given to new albums, I feel like I have nothing worthwile to buy if I follow your advice, which I suppose may end up just being the tough truth of a genre that's getting stale.

I give albums around 4-6 listens before writing a single word.
Yes, why would you read an article like this?
What people must understand is that it's one dry month in what, 40 years of metal? And it's not like I go through every metal release every month, because that's just not possible. I'm sure some underground band released an absolute killer this month. TMIM is a mix of underground albums, albums by minor bands that I discover for whatever reason, and anticipated releases because people want them featured in the article. It's not a mix that always works out (ie renders positive reviews), and it's not a certainty that the best albums always makes the article.

In a full year I listen to around 80 new albums and in the past couple of years, around 12-15 per year have been positive experiences, usually ranging from good to great. That's not a bad percentage and I'm sure that counting hidden gems, that number is closer to, or above 20-25 quality albums per year. That's a good, solid number and I don't think metal's "hey-day" was much better.

Besides, June/July = festival season and labels rarely put out the albums they believe in during that period. It's always a dry period. Spring and late summer/fall is when the good ones pop up.

[ride-the-spiral]

Spot on reviews i must say. A Higher place is disappointing, JFAC is very boring also.

To the people moaning about how RP is a "purist" and whatever, do what i did and actually listen to the albums that are rated highly. The first time i read i had never heard of the bands getting 8s, 9s, or 10 but i gave them a listen. Most of my favourite bands i have heard of through TMIM.

Have you heard Isolation Songs by Ghost Brigade? Its my favourite release of the month anyway

[Ibanez44]

Apologies for being another random criticizing Reviewer Pete for not being able to listen to every release ever.

[Kikuta]

New Scar Symmetry, fuck yeah.

[Camaro4726]

I think divine heresy was more of a 5 to 5.5 in my opinion, they may play catch alot and the singer does the sing chorus thing but thats dino's style it may be straight forward but it's damn good

[SMITH05]

I think u meant to say between the buried and me, cuz ude have to be insane to think they aren't amazing

jacksonmetaller wrote:

lol... drudkh is about the only good band up there... gods among the others

[phenom1991]

These reviews were biased and totally bollocks.

Too harsh on a couple! (Born of Osiris, Divine Heresy...)

The new Born Of Osiris sounds really interesting IMHO.

[StealthHunter]

LOUD NOISES!!! Its all good. Kind of irrelevant, but I thought Halo from Machine Head's album The Blackening was a great metal track, the chorus makes me shiver! And some of those reviews were kinda personalized, you guys should probably rethink the way you write those (but hey, its not my place).

[ride-the-spiral]

phenom1991 :
These reviews were biased and totally bollocks.

Too harsh on a couple! (Born of Osiris, Divine Heresy...)

The new Born Of Osiris sounds really interesting IMHO.

A biased opinion!? Who'd have thought it!

[cobainAnselmo]

flxz wrote:

Awww. No He Is Legend review. That's a bit disappointing.

This is "This Month In FACKIN METAL"

Reviewer Pete wrote:

Ingsoc wrote:

Reviewer Pete wrote:

Ingsoc wrote:

I've never seen a review in these segments above a 7....Maybe whoever is reviewing the music just isn't that into metal?

Try reading more than one or two TMIMs...

I've read probably about 6 or 7 of them, not consecutively, but over the past couple years, and they're never very positive. I think the best review I saw was the new Machine Head album that came out, and even it was an 8 or so.

I never reviewed the Blackening (as I didn't work at UG when it was released and didn't start doing TMIM until August 2007), except for the first This Year In Metal I did, where I placed it at #3. I've handed out a 10, several 9s and 8s. I've been very positive about many albums.

Saying that I'm "not very much into metal" is about the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in these comments. Give me a break. Do you really think I'd sit through these albums, write these articles and bother to respond to your comments if I didn't have an enormous appreciation for the genre? Sure, I have to sit through a lot of garbage but I also find bands and albums I'd never bothered to check out unless TMIM forced me to.

Pete gives Traced In Air 10, Crack In The Skye 9, Cosmogenesis 9 and Wavering Radiant 9.

And that's good quality metal deserves that point!
I agree with mostly of your review..

Keep it up, Pete!!

[NakedBassist]

I understand mostly everything you said regarding Divine Heresy (geez the excessive double bass) but I disagree with what you say of their singer. I feel like saying it is "plain awful" is a gross over-statement. I suppose they're not AMAZING, but he definitely pulls off cleans decently and I really dig his screaming. ie, Darkness Embedded is not the greatest song ever, but I feel like Travis Neal pulls it off rather convincingly (although not spectacularly). "plain awful" is waaaay too harsh

[Jondy]

Where is the next this month in metal?